Louts caused terror for a mother and her children by putting a lit firework through their letterbox.

The yobs struck just before 11pm on Bonfire Night at the property in Speldhurst Close on Ashford's Stanhope estate.

The woman and children, aged 11 to five, were unhurt, and the firework caused heat damage to the front door.

Ashford Fire Station watch manager Clive Douglas said: “Thankfully the flooring inside was tiling rather than carpet, or it could have been worse.

“The firework was very quickly spent.”

Two fire engines from the Ashford station were called out and police were also called.